1.
group portrait, group statue
A work of art depicting multiple figures together, such as a group sculpture or group painting.
2.
ensemble of characters, group of people portrayed together
A collection of characters depicted in a literary, dramatic, or cinematic work. Often used in the term 群像劇 to describe an ensemble drama with multiple protagonists.
A novel portraying an ensemble of young people has become a topic of discussion.
Usage
In modern usage, sense 2 is very common, particularly in the compound 群像劇 (ensemble drama). This term is widely used in film, TV, and literature criticism to describe works with multiple main characters whose stories interweave.
The literary magazine 群像 (Gunzō), published by Kodansha, is one of Japan's major literary journals and hosts the prestigious Gunzō Prize for New Writers.